ZIM vs IRE Match Preview
Some crucial batters, such as Sean Williams and Craig Ervine, are not doing well. These two, together with Raza, are the top players of the Zim team. The return of Sikandar Raza to the batting line-up augurs well for the Zimbabweans. Craig Ervine will also be returning to the team after an injury break. The bad news for Zim is that Sean Williams did not have a good T20I series. However, he is one of the senior players on the side and will need to do well here.
Looking at the past ODI games, you will find that Sean Williams greatly enjoys the one-day format. His performance with the bat and ball will be essential for Zim. The return of Sikandar Raza will buoy the Zim side without a doubt. During the first game of the T20I series, Raza hit a fifty and picked up three vital wickets. His presence adds to the stability of the Zim attack. The best bowler for Zim during the Zim innings was Richard Ngarava. He will once again be the primary threat to the Irish batters.
The Ireland team was in great form in the recently concluded T20I series against Zim. They have several T20 players in their line-up, and how they adapt to the one-day international format will decide the fate of Ireland in this series. The Ireland playing eleven for this first game against Zim will likely be similar to the one they fielded in the T20I series. The best batter for Ireland in the T20I series was Harry Tector. He played a vital role in Ireland’s victory. Tector ended the T20I series as the leading run-getter.
Tector averages 50 in the one-day internationals, and you can expect a terrific performance from this all-rounder. One of the more consistent batters for Ireland in recent games has been Andrew Balbirnie. Although he did not play too well in the T20I series, he appeared good during his stay at the wicket. Many times, he lost his wicket trying to hit big shots. He will have more opportunity to build his innings in the one-day format. Mark Adair will lead the Ireland pace attack. He picked up four wickets in the T20I series.
Weather Report
We are expecting overcast weather conditions, and there is an excellent opportunity of getting showers. The maximum temperature we will likely get is 28 degrees, and the minimum is 18 degrees. The rain interruption can bring into picture the D/L equation for this game.
Pitch Report
The Harare Sports Club ground in Zimbabwe has a sitting capacity of 10000 people. This is not a high-scoring venue. As described earlier, the side winning the toss prefers to bowl first on this track. Knowing the exact number of runs to get beforehand is a good idea.
Notable stats
Harry Tector has a terrific average-to-strike rate ratio in recent games.
Harry Tector has scored 457 runs from his last ten appearances for Ireland with a strike rate of 98.27 and an average of 50.78.
Sikandar Raza has an excellent record with both bat and ball in recent games.
In his last ten appearances for Zim, Raza scored 365 runs and picked up 14 wickets.
Team News
Entire squads will be available for selection in this game. There are no apparent injury worries from either of the teams.
ZIM vs IRE Probable 11
ZIM Playing 11
- Sean Williams
- Craig Ervine
- Wesley Madhevere
- Ryan Burl
- T Marumani
- Sikandar Raza (C)
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Richard Ngarava
- Tony Munyonga
- Luke Jongwe
- Clive Madande (Wk)
IRE Playing 11
- Paul Stirling (C)
- Harry Tector
- Andrew Balbirnie
- Lorcan Tucker (Wk)
- Andy McBrine
- George Dockrell
- Mark Adair
- Joshua Little
- Barry McCarthy
- Craig Young
- Curtis Campher
Dream11 Prediction
The first contest of the ODI series will be vital as it will likely set the tone for the remainder. The Zimbabweans are a good outfit in the ODI format, and things might not be great for the Irish team in the series. But they will go into the series with a better frame of mind and momentum. We will bet with the hosts, Zimbabwe, to win this first match of the series.
Top Picks
Sikandar Raza: In his last ten appearances for Zim, Raza scored 365 runs with an average of 54.14 and picked up 14 wickets.
Mark Adair: Adair has picked up 19 victims from his last ten matches with a strike rate 26.31.
Harry Tector: Harry Tector has scored 457 runs from his last ten games with a strike rate of 98.27 and an average of 50.78.
George Dockrell: Dockrell has scored 354 runs in his last ten matches for Ireland with an unrealistic average of 88.5
ZIM vs IRE Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: L Tucker
Batters: P Stirling, H Tector, A Balbirnie, C Ervine
All-rounders: G Dockrell, S Raza (C), R Burl, C Campher (VC)
Bowlers: J Little, R Ngarava
